Lightning blamed for fire at Kansas middle school

(AP) — The crew of a passing freight train is getting the credit for spotting an overnight fire that damaged a middle school in central Kansas.

Authorities believe lightning started the fire at Canton-Galva Middle School. Damage was confined to the gymnasium, where flames left a large hole in the roof while charring the walls and floor.

Canton-Galva superintendent Bill Seidl says classes are expected to start as scheduled Aug. 22. The building houses fourth- through eighth-graders.

The conductor of a Union Pacific train called 911 after seeing the fire around 2:30 a.m. Friday. Seidl says the quick report and the response by firefighters prevented damage that could have included a cave-in.